ZCSA Seizes Over 10,000 Cases of Non-Compliant Potable Spirits in Lusaka
The Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) has seized and withdrawn 10,557 cases of potable spirits, valued at K1,033,260, from the Lusaka market. The crackdown targeted areas including Chaisa, Matero, Makeni townships, and the Chinika Industrial area.
According to a statement from Onishias Maamba, Public Relations Officer for ZCSA, the seized products were found in violation of sections 15 and 21 of the Compulsory Standards Act No. 3 of 2017.
Suppliers lacked the necessary permits to supply these spirits, and the products failed to include batch numbers and manufacturing dates as required by compulsory standards, raising significant safety concerns.
“The absence of batch numbers and manufacturing dates makes it challenging for us to guarantee the safety of these products,” Maamba stated. Samples of the seized spirits have been sent for laboratory analysis to determine further actions.
In addition to the spirits, ZCSA also seized 58 pressing irons from Makeni Mall valued at K20,479.42 due to non-compliant top plugs. These actions were part of routine spot checks to verify the registration status of manufacturers and suppliers of both potable spirits and household electrical appliances.
ZCSA has warned that punitive measures will be enforced against entities that manufacture, import, or supply products without adhering to Zambian laws, emphasizing that non-compliant products pose significant risks to public safety and health.
Maamba reiterated the agency’s commitment to ongoing enforcement and public education initiatives to ensure that only safe products are available to consumers. ZCSA plans to publish a list of registered entities authorized to supply products that meet compulsory standards, providing a reliable guide for consumers.
In a related development, ZCSA is inviting the public to visit its stand at the 2024 Copperbelt, Agricultural, Mining, Industrial, Networking and Enterprise (CAMINEX) show, which will be held at the Kitwe Showgrounds from May 28-30, 2024.
The theme for this year’s CAMINEX Show is “Unlocking Opportunities for Growth: Zambia’s Land Linked Position.” ZCSA will use this opportunity to educate the public about its mandate and encourage reporting of suspicious products.
Maamba highlighted ZCSA’s role in promoting economic growth by efficiently monitoring imported and locally manufactured products at major entry points and inland, aiming to protect consumers and the environment from unsafe products.
As a statutory body under the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry (MCTI), ZCSA enforces compulsory standards to ensure public safety, health, and environmental protection, in accordance with the Compulsory Standards Act No. 3 of 2017.
